Propeller device



7 May 5, 1936. J, BRQWN 2,039,628

PROPELLER 'DEVIOE Filed April 13, 1935 5 Sheet-$heet l 6W INVENTOR.

-9 if Z fimmikeiw h ATTORNEY.

PROPELLER DEVICE Filed April 13, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

I I Y 62 441/ ATTORNEY.

May 5, 1936. BRQWN 2,039,628

I PROPELLER DEVI CE Filed April 15, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEY.

INVENTOR.

May 5, 1936. J.- F. BROWN 2,039,623

PROPELLER DEVICE Filed April 13, 1935 5 She ets-Sheet 4 v I INVENTOR.

l ATTORNEY.

y 1936- J. F. BROWN V 2,039,628

PROPELLER DEVICE Filed April 13, 1955 5 sheetssheei 5 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented May 5, 1936 PATENT OFFICE PROPELLER DEVICE Joseph FranklinBrown, New York, N. Y., as-

signor of one-half to Henry M. Stanley, New

York, N. Y.

Application April 13,1935, Serial No. 16,128

16 Claims My invention relates to propeller devices and refersparticularly to those of the feathering blade type, and specifically to;those in which the amount of feathering may be varied, and in which thefeathering may be rotatively shifted universally to diiferent placesaround the axis of rotation of the propeller.

Such a device. besides its tractive thrust, is capable of impartingthrust, to a variable extent, in any desired direction in a plane atright angles to the axis of rotation of the propeller. Thus a controlforce is made available which is entirely independent of the speed oftravel.

Such control force may be utilized for making either short and .quick ormore gradual turns, either horizontally or vertically, or a combinationof both of these at the same time.

Also, by the use of this control force, both landing and take-01f can beeflected at a low speed, with only a short take-off run, and a shorttaxi run in landing. I

Propeller devices of this character are constantly becoming ofincreasing importance, particularly in airplanes and especially inmilitary planes, in which quick maneuvers within a small space,irrespective of travel speed, are of paramount value.

Besides airplanes, the propeller device of my invention is well adaptedfor propelled dirigible buoyant air craft, as well as air craft of thehelicopter type, which gives promise of greater practicability, and alsosubstantially similarly with water craft in any instances where such adevice would prove advantageous.

Among the objects of my invention are efliciency, dependability,durability, simplicity, low cost of production and upkeep, ease andconvenience of manual control in use, together with other objects andadvantages which will hereinafter become evident. i

In carrying out my invention in a practical embodiment, I provide alever arm having an initial neutral or non-feathering position inalignment with the axis of rotation of the propeller. This'lever arm isin control of the feathering movements of the propeller blades, throughan operating connection to the latter. One end-of this controlling armhas a universal joint pivotal mounting which is rotatable with thepropeller hub.

This universal mounting provides for swinging the' l'ever arm, to adesired variable extent, away line H oi Figure 1.

lever arm universally in any direction, regardless of the rotation ofthe propeller hub and consequent revolution of the propeller blades,which results in imparting feathering movement to the blades as theyrevolve. 5

The amount of this feathering movement is determined by the extent ofmovement of the mentioned lever arm to an angular position, while theplace at which the feathering takes place is determined by the directionof such lever arm movement.

Manually controlled operating means are provided for the mentioned leverarm. Such means desirably include a universally pivoted handle leverhaving special operating-connections with the mentionedfeathering-producing lever arm whereby movement of this handle leverresults in a corresponding movement being transmitted to such lever arm.

More particularly, in one form of my invention, in which it is carriedout with a two-bladed propeller, the two propeller blades are rigidlyconnected together by means of a shaft or shank which is journaled inand extends through a propeller hub barrel at right angles to andintersecting the axis of rotation of this hub.

This propeller-blade shaft or shank forms one of the pivots of thementioned universal pivotal mounting of the universally swingable leverarm.

tively driven by means of gearing connections to 4 its hub. Both ofthese two ways of embodying my invention are disclosed herein.

' For a particular description of the illustrated forms of myinventionreferencewill be had to the accompanying drawings, in whichsimilar parts are designated by similar numerals.

Figure 1 is a central longitudinal vertical section on the line l-l ofFigure 2, of the front .end portion of an airplane, showing'l one formof my invention.

" Figure 2 is a broken front elevation.

Figure 3 is an enlarged broken vertical section on the line H or Figure1.

Figure 4 is an enlarged vertical section on the I Figure 5 is a partlybroken side elevation of a manually operable controlling lever and itsimmediate adjuncts.

Figure 6 is a horizontal section on the line 6--6 of Figure 5.

Figure I is a somewhat enlarged broken vertical section on the line ofFigure 5.

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 1 of a modification having a gearedpropeller.

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 5 of the manual controlling leverpertaining to Figure 8.

Figures 10 and 11 are front and side elevations of the propeller shownin Figures 1, 2 and 8.

Figures 12 to 21 inclusive are diagrammatic representations illustratingthe feathering operation of this propeller, Figures 12, 14, 16, 18 andgether by -means of an intermediary shaft or shank 23. The propellershank 23 extends diametrically through a hub barrel at the front of arotatable propeller hub 24, and is journalled for rotative movement in asplit bearing formed by the hub barrel. The hub barrel has a rear half25 formed upon the hub 24, and a forward half 26 which is firmly fixedlysecured to the rear half 25. The propeller shank 23 is shown as providedwith stop collars 21-21 at the opposite ends of its bearing in thepropeller hub barr 25-26.

The hub 24 i rotatably mounted upon and carried by the front annularneck portion 26 of a strong casing or housing member 29. The hub. 24-ismounted and retained upon the housing neck 26 by means of ananti-friction bearing, shown as of the ball type, comprising an outerrace 36 carried by the hub 24 and held in place by a flange ring 3|, aninner race 32 fixedly carried by the neck 26, and interposed bearingballs 33.

The axis of the propeller shank 23 intersects the axis of rotation ofthe propeller hub- 24 at right angles thereto. In the particularconstruction illustrated, the propeller shank 23 has through it a;central longitudinally extending slotted rectangular opening 34. Thefront flattened end portion 35 of a rearwardly extended lever arm 36fits into this slot 34 and is mounted to swing therein upon a pivot pin31 which passes through.

I :1- extends at right angles to the axis of rotative movement of thepropeller shank 23 and at right angles to and intersecting the axis ofrotation of the propeller hub 24. Thus the propeller shank' 23 and thepivot pin 31 constitute a universal pivotal mounting for the lever arm36 on the hub 24, such mounting being carried by the hub 24 to rotatetherewith.

The lever arm 36 has a central neutral or in- I active position inalignment with the axis of rotation of the propeller hub 24, as shown inFigures 1, 12 and 22. In this neutral position of the lever arm 36 nofeathering action of the revolving propeller blades 2| and 22 takesplace. I

This condition of the propeller blades 2| and 22 is clearly indicated inFigure 13 by means of the small arrows, the number of which indicatesthe amount of air resistance during the revolution of these blades,showing such resistance as being equal upon both of these blades in thefull line position of the latter and likewise equal in an intermediatebroken line position of these blades.

It is now evident that the lever arm 36 is capable of being swung awayfrom its central neutral positionand of being then disposed in anangular position in any plane which is radial to the axis of rotation ofthe propeller hub 24. The arm 36 passes through and has freedom to rockwithin an opening 25A through the rear half 25 of the hub barrel. Thisswinging lever arm 36 is in control of the feathering movements of therevolving propeller blades 2| and 22.

By reason of the described universal mounting of the lever arm 36, itwill be clear that this lever arm may be swung universally to a greateror less extent in any desired direction, and may be thus moved from anyone position to any other position without necessarily being returned toits neutral position, and that such swinging movements of this lever armmay take place without regard to the rotation of the propeller hub 24and the consequent revolution of the propeller blades 2| and 22 carriedby this hub.

It is evident from the preceding description that when this swinginglever arm 36 is disposed at any other than its neutral position, thenfeathering movement will be transmitted to the revolving propellerblades 2| and '22. It is evident that the amount of feathering movementof the revolving blades 2| and 22 will be increased as the lever arm 36is moved away from its neutral position and will be decreased bymovement of this lever arm toward its neutral position.

The place in the revolution at which maximum feathering, whether thelater be much or little, takes place depends upon the directionalpositioning of. the angularly disposed lever arm 36 relatively to itscentral neutral position, and

such maximum feathering place or diametrical plane may be circularlyshifted by circular movement imparted to the angularly inclined leverarm 36. Manually controlled means adapted thus to swing the lever arm 36in any direction and to a greater or less extent will be describedlater.

In Figure 14, the lever arm 36 is shown as having been swung upwardly,thereby to produce the condition of air resistance upon the revolvingpropeller blades 2| and 22 which is indicated by the small arrows inFigure 15, the result of which would be to produce a downward thrustagainst the ascending propeller blade 22, and only a very slight upwardthrust against the descending propeller blade 2|, while such airresistance would be equalized upon these propeller blades when-they havereached the intermediate vertical position shown in broken lines. Theresult would be to.

depress the nose of the airplane.

correspondingly, Figures 16 and 17 indicate an opposite or upward thrustupon the nose of the plane, which would tip the latter upwardly. Figures18, 19 and 23 taken together similarly indicate a horizontalthrusttowards the right, .as

viewed from the front of the plane in Figure 19,

.the result being to turn the airplane to the left.

Figures 20, 21 and 24 indicate an opposite thrust, or "towards the leftas viewed from the front in Figure 2i, for turning toward the right, asviewed 7 by the pilot.

It will be clear from the above description that the propeller hub 24and the angularly swingable feathering-producing lever arm 36 rotatetogether. Hence this lever arm 36 is capable of forming also a propellershaft adapted to transmit revolution to the propeller blades 2| and 22,and in the particular form of my invention now under consideration, thislever arm 36 is shown as thus utilized to perform such a doublefunction.

The rear end of the tubular housing 29 is firmly and rigidly secured tothe front wall 39 of the airplane engine crank-case. The forward end ofthe engine shaft 40 is shown as splined into a tubular stub shaft 4| soas to' be adapted to rotate the latter. The stub shaft 4| is journaled.by means of an anti-friction bearing A, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, inthe crank-case front wall 39 of the engine, in axial alignment with theaxis of rotation of the propeller hub 24.

The stub shaft 4| is coupled to the combined lever arm and propellershaft 36 for rotating, and also for swinging, the latter by means of anintermediate coupling shaft 42. The forward end of the stub shaft 4| iscoupled to the rear end of the intermediate shaft 42 by means of auniversal coupling 43 of the gimbal type, and the forward end of thisintermediate coupling shaft 42 is similarly coupled to the rear end ofthepropeller shaft 36 by means of a similar universal coupling 44.

When the lever arm 36, which forms the propeller shaft, is swung awayfrom its neutral position, as 'above described, then the correspondingangular movement of the coupling shaft 42, as it swings upon the pivotsof its universal cou pling 43, will draw the propeller shaft 36rearwardly,-and the slot 38 in its forward end portion 35 provides forsuch longitudinal movement of the propeller shaft 36 relatively to itspivot pin 31.

The mentioned manually controlled. means for swinging or rocking thecombined featheringproducing lever arm and propeller shaft 36 areadapted to act upon the coupling shaft 42. The.

operating parts of this feature are more particularly shown in Figures1, 2, 3 and 4. An operating lever of the bell-crank type has a universalpivotal mounting which surrounds the pivots of the universal coupling43, radially outward from this coupling.

This bell-crank lever comprises a depending lower arm 45 having upwardlyextended twin branches 46-46 which turn forwardly into a pair ofparallelarms 41-41. At the junction of the arms 46-46 with thearms41-41, this bell-crank lever is pivoted on a horizontal axis to theopposite sides of a gimbal ring 48, by means of studs.

49-49. This provides for the rocking or swinging movement of thisbell-crank lever in a vertical plane.

The ring 48 is pivoted on a vertical axis, by

' means of studs 50-50, to a pair of similar upper and lower brackets|-5| which are fixedly secured to' the crank-case front wall 39 of. theengine. These vertical pivots 58-50 provide for rocking movement of thisbell-crank lever in a horizontal plane.

It is obvious that the conjoint functioning of the horizontal pivots49-49 with the vertical pivots 50-58 provides for universal rockingmovement of the bell-crank lever, in any direction and directly from anyone angular position to another.

It will be noted that the horizontal pivots 49-49 and the verticalpivots 58-50 are in the same vertical plane and that the latter pivotsare in the same vertical plane with the two rightangular pivots providedby the universal joint coupling 43. Thus the forwardly extending leverarm 41-41 and theintermediate coupling shaft 42, which is directlybetween these lever arms, are adapted to have similar swinging movementsin common about their described pivotal mountings. It is to be notedthat the coupling shaft 42 has rotative as well as swinging movement.

The forward ends of the leverarms41-41 are connected to the forward endportion of the shaft 42 for imparting swinging movement to the latter inany direction. This operating connection 15 provided by means of a splitbearing ring 52, to which the ends of these arms 41-41 are'connected bymeans of pivot studs 53-53, upon which, however, there will be verylittle if any pivotal movement of the bell-crank lever. The ring 52 ispositioned upon the shaft part 42 by means of an interposedanti-friction bearing 54,

through which the lever arms 41-41 are adapted to impart swingingmovement to this shaft 42, while at the same time providing for therotation of the latter.

The described bell-crank lever is adapted to be manually operated fromthe pilot's cockpit by means of its depending lower arm 45, whichextends through a slot 55 provided longitudinally through the lower rearend portion of the tubular housing 29. The lower end of the lever arm 45fixedly carries a horizontal cross-bar 56 providing oppositely extendedlever arms of equal length. Similar left and right operating rods 51 and58 have their forward ends operatively connected respectively to theopposite ends of the cross-bar 56 by means of similar clevises'58-59 andvertical pivot pins 60-60.

It is evident from the preceding description that forward-or backwardmovement of the operating rods 51 and 58 both at the same time and. inthe same direction will swing the described bell-crank lever in avertical plane, while themovement of these rods in directions oppositeto each other will rotate the bell-crank arm 45, thereby to swing itsforwardly extended arms 41-41 laterally or in a horizontal plane.

Thus simultaneous unitary forward movement of these rods 51 and 58 willswing the shaft-forming lever arm 36 in an upward direction, thereby toproduce a feathered condition of the propeller blades 2| and 22 similarto that illustrated in Figures l4 and 15. Similarly, simultaneousrearward movement of the rods 51 and 58 will result in a feathering ofthe propeller blades 2| and 22 in a manner similar to that shown inFigures 16 and 17, in which the lever arm 36 is shown as having beenswung downwardly.

From the preceding description, it will be evident that movement of theoperating rods 51 and 58 in opposite directions, with the rod 51 movedforwardly, and the rod 58 moved rearwardly, the twisting or rotativemovement thereby imparted to the bell-crank arm 45 will shift theforwardly extended bell-crank arms 41-41 towards the right, as viewed inFigure 4,. thereby swinging the lever arm 36 in the same direction. Thiswill produce a feathered condition of the propeller blades 2| and 22similar to that indicated in Figures 18, 19, and 23.

Similarly, relative movement of the operating .rods 51 and 58 in anopposite direction relatively to each other will in like manner resultin a feathered condition of the propeller blades 2| and 22 similar tothat indicated in Figures 20, 21 and 24.

It is evident that the unitary and the relative movements of theoperating rods 51 and 58 may be superimposed upon each other, for thusproducing other feathered conditions of the propeller blades 2| and 22,different from and intermediately disposed relatively to the fourdifferent positions of feathering illustrated in Figures 14 to 21inclusive.

The operating rods 51 and 58 extend rearwardly to the pilot's cockpitand have their rear ends pivotally connected, by means of similarclevises 6|-6| and vertical pivot pins 62-62, to opposite ends of ahorizontal cross-bar 63. At its middle the cross-bar 63 is fixedlycarried by an upstanding handle lever 64 at an intermediate point alongthe length of the latter below its middle. The lower end of the handlelever 64 is universally pivoted in a floor bracket 65 by means of aballand-socket joint 66. The vertical position of the operating lever 64shown in Figures 5, 6, and '1 is its central or neutral position whichcorresponds to the neutral position of the featheringproducing lever arm36 shown in Figures 1 and 2, and to the non-feathering condition of therevolving propeller blades 2| and 22, as it further shown in Figures 12,13 and 22.

It is evident that forward movement of the handle lever 64 will impartunitary forward movement to the operating rods 51 and 58, which asalready described, will result in a feathering action of the revolvingpropeller blades 2| and 22 similar to that shown in Figures 14 and 15,thus to depress the nose of the plane. Rearward movement of this lever64 will in a similar man-.

ner produce the feathering action indicated in Figures 16 and 1'1,thereby to apply a lifting thrust be swung laterally in the oppositedirection, or

.toward the right.

The means for accomplishing these lateral or horizontal thrusts in theparticular device shown in the drawings comprises a' laterally swingableradius arm'or angle lever 21. The forward end of this arm 01 is providedwith a stationary universal 'pivotal mounting. It isthere pivoted in aslotted head 6. by means of a horizontal pivot pin 0!. The head '8 iscarried by a vertical pivot stud 10 which is iournaled in a bearingformed by a bracket 1|, ilxedly secured to a stapart 12 of the airplane.The end portion of this vertical. pivot stud 10 is screwthreaded andprovided with a clamp nut 13 having a handle 14. This clamp nut 13provides for locking the arm 61 against horizontal swinging movement,for a purpose which will be made clear later.

The swinging radius arm 61 passes rearwardly through a yoke 15 formed onthe handle lever 04 above the cross-bar 02. The opposed inner lateralside faces 'of this yoke are flat and engage with the radius arm 81, soas to prevent rotative movement of the operating lever 04 relatively tothe radius arm 01 in a horizontal plane. upper and lower faces 18-16 ofthe opening provided by the yoke 15 are rounded, in order to provide fora desirable amount of relative rocking movement in a vertical planebetween the lever 64 and the radius arm 61.

The cylindrical radius arm 61 is provided with an annular stop groove 11which coincides with the fore-and-aft neutral position of the handlelever 64, as shown in Figures 5, 6 and '1. A stop screw 18, providedwith an outer handle 19, is threaded through one side of the yoke 15 soas to be engaged in or withdrawn from the groove 11. At other pointsalong the length of the radius arm 61 this screw 18 may act as a setscrew against the arm 61. The purpose of this arrangement will beevident later.

The clamp nut 13 and the'combined stop screw and set screw 18 may bemade use of either separately or both together. When both are tightened,as indicated in Figures 5, 6 and 7, the handle lever 64 will be lockedat its neutral position. Thus this handle lever may be released by thepilot and will require no attention until it is desired to produce afeathering action of ing 29, has a downward extension 8| along itsbottom, with its inner end slot 55 at the top. At its front end thehousing carries an outer gear cover 82. The propeller hub 24 carries a.

gear ring 83 which meshes with and is driven by a smaller gear or pinion84.

The pinion 84 is fixedly carried upon the front end of an intermediarycoupling shaft 85, the rear end of which is coupled to the front end ofthe engine shaft 40 to be driven thereby. The coupling shaft Iii isjournaled in the opposite ends of the housing extension Si by means ofantifriction bearings 88-. v

The operating lever, of bell-crank form, has its arm 45 extendedupwardly. Therefore the rear or cockpit cross-bar 53 is carried by thelower end of a handle lever 81 which is extended below itsball-and-socket universal fulcrum pivot 66. Feathering of the propellerblades 2| and 22 is caused to take place in the same manner as alreadydescribed.

The operation of the mechanical elements and can. be used alone foreifecting any maneuver,-

without the use of any other control means.

It is similarly evident that my device is capable of use coniointly withthe use of the usual controls, which latter depend for their operativeeffectiveness upon the slip stream of air due to the speed of travel.Provision is made for the use of the latter controls alone, by merelymaintaining my device at its neutral or non-operative position. Z

By the use of the device of my inven'tiompar asitical drag is largely.eliminated.

The.

. Parts, in their relation to each other, has already aoaaeas sitating atake-off run of greater length, while my device enablestake-ofl. at lowspeed of travel, with a short run.

Similarly, my invention enables landing to be effected, on land orwater, at a low speed of travel, with a correspondingly short taxi run.In fact, a vertical or pancake landing can be made with relative safety,lateral balance then being maintained by means of the usual ailerons.Thus my invention enables vertical descent, while at any height in theair, with full control of.the airplane.

The dangers of a stall are eliminated, since when equipped with myinvention, the airplane will then be under control and can be instantlyrighted, without being permitted to slide backward, without control,and'thus be likely to go into anundesired tail-spin.

From the disclosure of my feathering blade propeller device as appliedto an airplane, it is evident that such device is adapted to besubstantially similarly advantageously employed in an air craft of thehelicopter type.

In such case, balance can be maintained without having a low ce'nterofgravity, great maneuverability is obtained, and ahigh speed oftranslation or travel for this type of craft is attainable. Such travelis in the plane of rotation of the airfoil or propeller and is produceddirectly by the feathering action of the propeller blades.'

The latter at the same time, or ,without travel,

are of course adapted to provide a variable lift .thrust. Efficiency isattained with economy in the consumption of power.

In the case of a dirigible lighter-than-air craft, the operation of thepropeller device of my invention is, in many respects, similar to thatof its use upon an airplane, but is different in other respects.

Such a craft equipped with my invention would have altitude control,with no need for, carrying ballast. Balance could be maintained withoutneed of low suspension of weight. There would thus be less structural rtan'oe to forward speed. Thrusts for landing could be produced, whichwould eliminate the need of having a large landing screw.

In this type of air craft, swiveled propellers,

which have alimited range of usefulness and are slow in operation, couldbe dispensed with and replaced with the quick-acting directionallychangeable thrust device of my invention; or the swiveling could beretained'in conjunction with the device of my invention. in the lattercase, universally directable angular thrusts could be instantly obtainedwith only slight changes in the plane of rotation of the propeller.

It is believed .now to be evident that my disclosed invention has manyvaluable attributes and constitutesa decided advance in the'art to whichit relates." 7

It is obvious that various modifications may be made in theconstructions shown in the drawings and above particularly described,within the principle and scope of my invention as defined in theappended claims.

Ido not specificallyiimit myself to disclosed minor detailsof.construction or design, nor to a particular relationship of parts andelements,

nor to size or shape or materials, these being.

given simply as a means for clearly describing the device of myinvention.

What I claim is:

1. In a propeller device, in combination, a ro-,-

tatable propeller hub, driving means adapted to rotate said hub, ajournal bearing in said hub with its axis transverse to the axis ofrotation of said hub, a propeller blade journaled in said bearing andextending outwardly from said hub, a lever arm, a universal pivotalmounting for said lever arm carried by said hub to rotate therewith andby means of which said lever arm is mounted upon said hub for swingingmovement universally in any direction relatively toa central neutralposition of said lever arm, said lever arm in its neutral position beingin alignment with the axis of rotation of said hub, an operatingconnection between said lever arm and said propeller blade adapted torotate the latter in its said journal bearing upon the swinging movement of said lever arm, and manually controlled means adapted to swingsaid lever arm in any desired direction relatively to its neutralposition.

2. In a propeller device, in combination, a rotatable hub, driving meansadapted to rotate said hub, a two-bladed propeiler including a propellershank which rigidly connects said propeller blades together, a journalbearing for said propeller shank extending through said hub at rightangles toand intersecting the axis of rotation of said hub, a lever arm,a pivotal mounting for said lever arm by which it is connected to saidpropeller shank to swing on'an axis at right angles-to the journal axisof the latter and at right angles to and intersecting the axis ofrotation'of said propeller hub, said lever arm havin a central neutralposition in alignment with the axis of rotation of said hub and beingadapted to be swung in any-direction relatively to its neutral position,and manually controlled means adapted to swing said lever arm to anyangular position desired in universal relation to its neutral position.

3. In a propeller device, in combination, a pair having aneutralposition in alignment with the axis of rotation of said hub.

4. In a propeller device, a pair of oppositely extended propellerblades, a shaft fixedly connecting said blades to each other, arotatable prov of oppositely extended propeller blades, a rotatpellerhub in which said shaft is journaled, and

means adapted to transmit rocking 'movement to said shaft in said hubthereby to cause feathering movement of said blades, said meansincluding a lever arm having a pivotal connection to said shaft with apivotal axis at right angles to the journal axis ofsaid shaft, saidlever arm having a neutral position in alignment with the axis ofrotation of said hub.

5. In a propeller device, in combination, a rotatable propeller hub,driving means adapted to rotate said hub, a journal bearing in said hubwith its axis transverse to the axis of rotation of said hub, apropeller blade journaled in said bearing and extending outwardly fromsaid hub, a lever arm, a universal pivotal mounting for said lever armcarried by said hub to rotate therewith and by means of which said leverarm is mounted upon said hub for swinging movement universally in anydirection relatively to a central neutral position of said lever arm,said lever arm in its neutral position being in alignment with the axisof rotation of said hub, an operating connection between said lever armand said propeller blade adapted to rotate the latter in itssaid journalbearing upon the swinging movement of said lever arm, and manuallycontrolled means adapted ,to swing said lever arm in any desireddirection relatively to its neutral position, said lever arm beingextended rearwardly from said hub, said manually controlled meansincluding a bell-crank lever, a universally pivotal fulcrum mounting forsaid bell-crank lever in alignment with the axis of rotation of said hubrearwardly from said lever arm, said bell-cranklever comprising aforwardly extended bell-crank arm and a transversely extended bell-crankarm, a coupling between said forwardly extended bellcrank arm and saidrearwardly extended lever arm including a universal joint, and across-bar fixedly carried by said transversely extended bellcrank arm bymeans of which universal swinging movement is adapted to be imparted tosaid forwardly extended bell-crank arm for thereby causing featheringmovement of said propeller blade.

6. In a propeller device, in combination, a rotatable propeller hub,driving means adapted to rotate said hub, a journal bearing in said hubwith its axis transverse to the axis of rotation of said hub, apropeller blade journaledin said hearing and extending outwardly fromsaid hub, a lever arm, a universal pivotal mounting for said lever armcarried by said hub to rotate therewith and by means of which said leverarm is mounted upon said hub for swinging movement universally in anydirection relatively to a'central neutral position of said lever arm,said lever arm in its neutral position being in alignment with the axisof rotation of said hub, an operating connection between said lever armand said 'propeller blade adapted to rotate the latter in its saidjournal bearing upon the swinging movement of said-lever arm, andmanually controlled means adapted to swing said lever arm in any desireddirection relatively to its neutral position, said lever arm beingextended rearwardly from said hub, said manually controlled meansincluding a'bell-crank lever, a universally pivotal fulcrum mounting forsaid bell-crank lever in alignment with the axis of rotation of said hubrearwardly from said lever arm, said bell-crank lever comprising aforwardly extended bell-crank arm and a transversely extendedbell-crankarm, a coupling between said forwardly extended bellcrank armand said rearwardly extended lever arm including a universal .joint, auniversally swingable handle lever, and operating connections from saidhandle lever to said transversely extended bell-crank arm whereby saidrearwardly extended lever arm is caused to partake of the swingingmovements of said handle lever thereby golagause featheri g movement ofsaid propeller 7. In a propeller-device, in combination, a rotatablepropeller hub, driving means adapted to rotate said hub, a journalbearing in said hub with its axis transverse to the axis of rotation ofsaid hub, a propeller blade journaled in said bearing and extendingoutwardly from said hub, a lever arm, a universal pivotal mounting forsaid lever arm carried by said hub to rotate therewith and by means ofwhich said lever arm is mounted upon said hub for. swinging movementuniversally in any direction relatively to a central neutral position ofsaid lever arm, said lever arm in its neutral position being inalignment with the axis of rotation of said hub, an operating connectionbetween said lever arm and said propeller blade adapted to rotate thelatter in its said journal bearing upon the swinging movement of saidlever arm, and manually controlled means adapted to swing said lever armin any desired direction relatively to its neutral position, said leverarm being extended rearwardly from said hub, said manually controlledmeans including a bell-crank lever, a universally pivotal fulcrummounting for said bell-crank lever in alignment with the axis ofrotation of said hub rearwardly from said lever arm, said bellcranklever comprising a forwardly extended bell-crank arm anda transverselyextended bellcrank arm, a coupling between said forwardly extendedbell-crank arm and said rearwardly ex: tended lever arm including auniversal joint, a

universally swingable handle lever, operating connections from saidhandle lever to said transversely extended bell-crank arm whereby saidrearwardly extended lever arm is caused to partake of the swingingmovements of said handle lever thereby to cause feathering movement ofsaid propeller blade, and means adapted for looking said handle lever atany of its positions thereby to maintain a desired feathering movementof said propeller blade.

8. In a propeller device, in combination, a rotatable hub, driving meansadapted to rotate said hub, a two-bladed propeller including a propellershank which rigidly connects said propeller blades together, ajournalbearing for said propeller shank extending through said hub at rightangles to and intersecting the axis of rotation of said hub, a leverarm, a pivotal mounting forsaid lever arm by which it is connected tosaid propeller shank to swing on an axis at right angles to the journalaxis of the latter and atright angles to and intersecting the axis ofrotation of said propeller hub, said lever arm having a central neutralposition inalignment with the axis of rotation of said hub and beingadapted to'be swung in any direction relatively to its neutral position,and manually controlled means adapted to swing said lever arm to anyangular Position desired in universal relation to its neutral position,said lever arm being extended rearwardly from'said hub, said manuallycontrolled means including an operating arm, a universally pivotalfulcrum mounting for-said operating arm in alignment with the axis ofrotation of said hub and from which fulcrum mounting said operating armextends forwardly to the rear end of said rearwardly extended lever arm,a universal joint connecting said operating arm to said rearwardlyextended lever arm, and means adapted for universally swinging saidoperating arm thereby to cause corresponding feathering movements of"said propeller blades.

9. In a propeller device, in combination, a rotatable hub, driving meansadapted to rotate said hub, a two bladed propeller including a propellershank which rigidly connects said propeller blades together, a journalbearing for said proaoaaase said hub, a lever arm, a pivotal mountingfor said lever arm. by which it is connected to said propeller shank toswing on an axis at right angles to the journal axis of the latter andat right angles to and intersecting the axis of rotation of saidpropeller hub, said lever arm having a central neutral position inalignment with the axis of rotation of said hub and being'adapted to beswung in any direction relatively to its neutral position, and manuallycontrolled means adapted to swing said lever arm to any angular-positiondesired in universal relation to its neutral position, said lever armbeing extended rearwardly from said hub, said manually controlled meansincluding an operating arm, a universally pivotal fulcrum mounting forsaid operating arm -in alignment with the axis of rotation of said huband from which fulcrum mounting said operating arm extends forwardly tothe rear end of said 1rearwardly extended lever arm, a universal jointconnecting said operating arm to said rearwardly extended lever arm, andmeans adapted for universally swinging said operating'arm thereby tocause corresponding feathering movements of said propeller blades, saidlatter means including a bell-crank lever, a universally pivotal fulcrummounting for said belLcrank lever surrounding said fulcrum mounting'forsaid operating arm, said bell-crank lever comprising a transverselyextended bell-crank arm and a forwardly extended bell-crank armconnected to said operating arm, and a cross-bar fixedly carried by saidtransversely extended bell-crank arm by means of which universalswinging movement is adapted to be transmitted to said rearwardlyextended lever arm for thereby causing feathering movements of saidpropeller blades. 10. In a propeller device, in combination, a

I rotatable propeller hub, a plurality of propeller blades carried bysaid hub to be revolved thereby and mounted thereon for rotatablefeathering movements, a universally swingable lever arm having itsswingable end extending rearwardly relatively to said hub, connectionsfrom said lever arm to said blades adapted to cause feathering movementsof the latter upon swinging movement of said lever arm away from aneutral position of the latter in alignment with the axis of rotation ofsaid hub, and manually controlled means adapted to swing said lever armin any' direction movements of the latter upon swinging movement 7ofsaid shaft to an angular position relatively to a central positionin'alignment with the axis of rotation of said hub, manually controlledmeans adapted to swing said propeller shaft in any direction relativelyto its central position, and means I adapted to rotate said shaftregardless of any position to. which it has been swung.

12. In a propeller device, in combination, a rotatable propeller hub, aplurality of propeller.

blades carried by said hub to be revolved thereby and mounted thereonfor rotatable feathering movements, a propeller shaft adapted to rotatesaid hub and pivoted therein for universal swinging movements,connections from said propeller shaft to said blades adapted to causefeathering movements of the latter upon swinging movement of said shaftto an angular position relatively to a central position in alignmentwith the axis of rotation of said hub, manually controlled means adaptedto swing said propeller shaft in any direction relatively to its centralposition, and

means adapted to rotate said shaft regardless-of any position to whichit has been swung, said latter means comprising a drive shaft in axialalignment with the axis of rotation of said hub,

- and an intermediate coupling shaft extending from said drive shaft tosaid propeller shaft, said manually controlled means being adapted toswing said coupling shaft in any direction relatively to said driveshaft.

13. In a propeller device, in combination, a rotatable propeller hub, aplurality of propeller blades carried by said hub to be revolved therebyand mounted thereon for rotatable feathering movements, a propellershaft adapted to rotate said hub and pivoted therein for universal swiing movements, connections from said propeller shaft to said bladesadapted to cause feathering movements of the latter upon swingingmovement of said shaft to an angular position relatively to a centralposition in alignment with the axis of rotation of said hub, manuallycontrolled means adapted to swing said propeller shaft in any directionrelatively to its central position, and means adapted to rotate saidshaft regardless of any position to which it has been swung, said lattermeans comprising a drive shaft in axial alignment with the axis ofrotation of said hub, and an intermediate coupling shaft extending fromsaid drive shaft to said propeller shaft,- said manually controlledmeans being adapted to swing said coupling shaft in any directionrelatively to said drive shaft, said manually controlled means includinglocking means adapted to lock said propeller shaft at any position ofits swinging movement.

movements, a propeller shaft adapted to rotate said hub and pivotedtherein for universal swinging movements, connections from saidpropeller shaft to said blades adapted to cause feathering movements ofthe latter upon swinging movement of said shaft to an angular positionrelatively to a central position in alignment with the axis of rotationof said hub, manually controlled means adapted to swing saidpropellershaft in means adapted to rotate said shaft regardless of any positionto which it has been swung, said latter means comprising a drive shaftin axial alignment with the axis of rotation ofisaid hub,

any direction relatively to its central position, and

an intermediate coupling, shaft extending from said drive shaft to saidpropeller shaft, a universal knuckle-joint connecting said drive shaftto said intermediate shaftyanother universal knucklejoint connectingsaid intermediate shaft to said propeller shaft, and a slip connectionacting in a;

joints and said slip connection being adapted toco-operate to transmitrotation from said drive shaft to said propeller shaft.

15. In a propeller device, in combination, a rotatable propeller hub, aplurality of propeller blades carried by said hub to be revolved therebyand mounted thereon for rotatable feathering movements, a propellershaft adapted to rotate said hub and pivoted therein for universalswinging movements, connections from said propeller shaft to said bladesadapted to cause feathering movements of the latter upon swingingmovement of said shaft to an angular position relatively to a centralposition in alignment with the axis of rotation of said hub, manuallycontrolled means adapted to swing said propeller shaft in any directionrelatively to its central position, and

means adapted to rotate said shaft regardless of any position to whichit has been swung, said alignment with the axis of rotation of said hub,and an intermediate coupling shaft extending from said drive shaft tosaid propeller shaft and adapted to transmit rotation to the latter,said manually controlled means including an operating lever extendingalongside of said coupling shaft, a universal fulcrum pivot for saidoperating lever adjacent the rear end of said coupling shaft, a bearingin which said coupling shaft is journaled carried by the .rear end ofsaid operating lever, and means adapted to swing said operating leveruniversally inany direction relatively to a central neutral positionthereby to cause feathering movements ofsaid propeller blades.

16. In a propeller device, in combination, a rotatable propeller hub, aplurality of propeller blades carried by said hub to be revolved therebyand mounted thereon for rotatable feathering movements, a propellershaft adapted to rotate said hub and pivoted therein for universalswinging movements, connections from said propeller shaft to said bladesadapted to cause feathering movements of the latter upon swingingmovement of said shaft to an angular position relatively to a centralposition in alignment with the axis of rotation of said hub, manuallycontrolled means adapted to swing said propeller shaft in any directionrelatively 'to its central position, and means adapted to rotate saidshaft regardless of any position to which it has been swung, said lattermeans comprising a drive shaft in axial alignment with the axis ofrotation of said hub, and an intermediate coupling shaft extending fromsaid drive shaft to said propeller shaft and adapted to transmitrotation to the latter, said manually controlled means including anoperating lever extending alongside of said coupling shaft, a universalfulcrum pivot for said operating lever adjacent the rear end of saidcoupling shaft, a bearing in which said coupling shaft is journaledcarried by the rear end of said operating lever. and means adapted toswing said operating lever universally in any direction relatively to acentral neutral position thereby to cause feathering movements of saidpropeller blades, and means adapted to lock said propeller shaft at anyposition of its swinging movement.

JIOSEPH FRANKLIN BROWN.

